K9 Rony – Fairhaven, Massachusetts

Handler – Captain Paul Douglas

Fairhaven Police Department K9 Unit mourns loss of Bristol County Sheriff’s Office’s K9 “Rony”

“Our dear friend, Captain Paul Douglas, said goodbye to his retired partner, K9 Rony. His passing comes after a courageous battle with cancer. K9 Rony, a Belgian Malinois, was a loyal partner for many years serving The Bristol County Sheriff’s Office and surrounding communities. After his retirement, Rony spent his remaining years being loved and spoiled by The Douglas Family. K9 Rony was eleven years old. K9 Rony your were a good boy. You can rest now; we have it from here. “I always thought he lived for the sled. What he lived for, was me. If you’re around them long enough, they tend to get under your skin. If you were lucky enough to know a great one, they never really leave. They stay with you as long as you live. Harnessed to your heart, giving their all.” – Disney’s Togo”-Fairhaven Police Department K9 Unit.

Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.